Glyceryl ether compounds and their use
Glyceryl ether compounds prepared by the reaction of glycerol and olefin epoxides are disclosed. The compounds are renewable biomass-based surfactants useful as detergents and emulsifiers in formulations for cleaning, laundry, personal care, cosmetics, and industrial uses.
1. A compound having the formula:
wherein:
R 6 is selected from hydrogen or a C 1 -C 10 linear or branched alkyl; and
V is selected from the group consisting of:
2. A method for preparing a compound of claim 1 , the method comprising:
a) providing a glycerol or a compound of the formula:
wherein:
R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl; linear, branched, or cyclic alkenyl; aryl; and arylalkyl;
b) providing a compound selected from the group consisting of: an epoxidized triglyceride, and an epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid ester, wherein the fatty acid fragment has from 8 to 24 carbon atoms, and the alcohol fragment is a fragment of a C 1 -C 12 linear or branched monohydric alcohol; and
c) effecting a reaction between the compounds of a) and b) in the presence of an acid or base catalyst.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises:
d) converting the carboxyl ester group to a free carboxyl group, a carboxylic salt, or an amide.